congrats on the camera. took me a little bit to figure out what you were talkin about at first. i no nothing about cameras. i was getting into them but my school got rid of photography as a class so I lost interest. anyway congrats sounds great!

__________________
Chris Kerr.

2.0.0 Dogs-Taz and Sandy
0.2.0 Cats-Whiskers and Squirelly
0.0.1 Green Iguana-Spike

*Drools uncontrolably* I LOVE macro photography. B&H photo and video has the MP-e 65mm for $799, I just can't bring myself to spend more on the camera lens than I did on the body.....

....but my birthday is coming up if you are all feeling generous

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

I'll buy you one if you buy me one.

__________________
~~~~ Someone is always listening, whether you want them to our not . . . now I've said to much. ~~~~

5.9.3 Leopard geckos
2.2.0 U. Phantasticus
0.0.3 D. Auratus
0.0.2 D. Azureus
0.1.0 Homosapians
0.1.0 Ratterrier
0.0.0 Cats!!! (We're Dog & Lizard People)
http://home.comcast.net/~tha3rdman

Ah yes but the body is just there to hold the lens....the lens makes the magic happen, the body just proccess's the info.....plus as long as you stay with canon bodies your lenses will fit when you get a better body.....the lens will out last the body an always worth getting the best you can afford

__________________
I'll think of something to put here soon.......

That makes perfect sense but I still can't justify spending more on a lens than I did on my first car. (I miss that car)

All of this talk about lenses makes me want to go take pictures but it is so cold out...and my 'studio' (read: spare space in the basement) is full of junk.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Going a back a bit in the conversation I would add that when it comes to change lenses, digital is nothing like analogic where you can change lenses any time, any place. With digital, you should change lenses in the most dust free environment possible and only 10 minutes after switching the camera off, otherwise the static electricity will suck the dust in onto the sensor.

With that in mind, choose the best combination possible for the kind of photos you will take. If your are a portrait lover, choose the 70-300. If you want a all round lense, go with one of those 18-xxx.
As for your remark "18-200's which to the best of my recollection wasn't even possible in the 90's" you are forgeting that you need to multiply the lens value by the sensor factor, which means that that lens is actually a 28-320mm.

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

Rbl,

I thought the same thing the last time I had a SLR these super mega range zoom lenses weren't out there not even for the "Pros" I had a 35-80ish and a 70-200 when I had the AE-1. Any how thanks for all the posts, how about a good rain coat for it, maybe an inexpensive underwater jacket

__________________
~~~~ Someone is always listening, whether you want them to our not . . . now I've said to much. ~~~~

5.9.3 Leopard geckos
2.2.0 U. Phantasticus
0.0.3 D. Auratus
0.0.2 D. Azureus
0.1.0 Homosapians
0.1.0 Ratterrier
0.0.0 Cats!!! (We're Dog & Lizard People)
http://home.comcast.net/~tha3rdman